Solid motor transport trailer with rotatable chock supports

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for transporting a solid rocket motor, rocket or other object. A transport for an object suitably includes a trailer having a longitudinal axis. A tail support coupled to the trailer has a notch configured to receive a pin affixed to the object to prevent movement along the longitudinal axis during transport. A chock assembly includes a chock and a trolley, wherein the chock is configured to accept the solid rocket motor and to pivot about a rotation axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the trailer. By pivoting with the object, the rotable chock maintains intimate contact with the object during transport and/or elevation, thereby improving response to flexing of the transport and reducing the possibility of damage to the object.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention generally relates to transports for rocket engines and other large objects, and more particularly relates to a transport with a rotatable chock support. BACKGROUND [0002] Rocket engines remain the primary launch engines for satellites, manned and unmanned space vehicles and the like. The solid rocket motors (SRMs) used in space shuttle launches, for example, each bum for about two minutes and generate about 3.3 million pounds of thrust. Other rocket engines (such as the Delta series rockets manufactured by the Boeing Company) are designed to propel large payloads (e.g. on the order of thirteen tons or more) into space with relatively short setup times (e.g. ten to twenty days). [0003] Rocket-type propulsion engines are typically relatively difficult to transport from place to place (e.g. from a manufacturing or storage site to the launch site) due to their sheer size. The solid rocket motors used in space shuttle launches, for example, ar...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] Methods and apparatus are provided for transporting a solid rocket motor, rocket or other object. In an exemplary embodiment, a transport for an object suitably includes a trailer having a longitudinal axis. A tail support coupled to the trailer appropriately has a notch configured to receive a pin affixed to the object to prevent movement along the longitudinal axis during transport, and to allow the object to pivot about the tail support during elevation. A chock assembly includes a chock and a trolley, wherein the chock is configured to accept the solid rocket motor and to pivot about a rotation axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the trailer. By pivoting with the object during transport and / or elevation, the rotable chock maintains intimate contact with the object during transport and / or elevation, thereby improving response to flexing of the transport and / or reducing the possibility of damage to the object.

Problems solved by technology

Rocket-type propulsion engines are typically relatively difficult to transport from place to place (e.g. from a manufacturing or storage site to the launch site) due to their sheer size.

Delta series rockets, as well as other types of rockets, are even larger (e.g. on the order of eighty yards in length or more) and therefore can be similarly unwieldy to transport.

These trailers, however, are generally relatively rigid, and flexing of the trailer during transport may result in localized loading and other stresses that could result in damage to the exterior of the engine.

The risk of localized loading and associated damage to the engine is also present when the rocket engine is erected from the trailer to the upright launch position.

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